Farther On, a Shape Note Hymn

Today's song can be downloaded here. This song is a little-known, beautiful old Shape-Note hymn in the Sacred Harp tradition. For more information, look here and here. Enjoy and don't let the music stop! God Bless!

As we travel through the desert
Storms beset us on our way
But beyond the River Jordan
Lies a field of endless days

(chorus)
Farther on still go farther
Count the mile stones one by one
Jesus will forsake you never
It is better farther on

Oh my brother are you weary
Of the roughness of the road
Does your strength begin to fail you
Let the Savior bare your load

Chorus

Jesus, Jesus will go with you.

He will lead you to the throne.

He who dyed his garments for you,

and the winepress trod alone.

Chorus

At my grave will you be singing
Though you weep for one that’s gone
Singing as we once did singing
It is better farther on

Chorus

Happiness is the Lord

Today's hymn can be downloaded here. This hymn was written by Ira F. Stanphill in 1968. It's based on Psalm 144:15 "Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD."

Author is Ira F. Stanphill who was an Assemblies of God pastor.  He also sang and wrote gospel songs.  By the time he was 10 years old he was playing many instrument: Piano, ukulele, organ, and accordion.  He was writing songs by the time he was 17 as well as working at revival meetings, and singing at various church meetings/gatherings.  He worked as a singing evangelist.  He was born in New Mexico in 1914 and died in 1993.

 Enjoy and keep making music! God Bless! Enjoy!

Lyrics: 
Happiness is to know the Savior
Living a life within His favor,
Having a change in my behavior
Happinesss is the Lord

Happiness is a new creation
Jesus in me in close relation
Having a part in His salvation
Happiness is the Lord

Real joy is mine
No matter if teardrops start,
I've found the secret --
It's Jesus in my heart!

Happiness is to be forgiven
Living the life that worth the living
Taking a trip that leads to heaven
Happiness is the Lord, Happiness is the Lord
Happiness is the Lord!

                                   

Love was When

Today's Christian Song can be downloaded here. This song was written by Don Wyrtzen in 1989 for the youth musical "What's it all about, anyhow?" More information on this song can be found here and here. Enjoy and keep making music! God Bless!

Lord, I want to be a Christian

Today's American spiritual song can be downloaded here. It was likely composed in 1750s Virginia by African-American slaves exposed to the teaching of evangelist Samuel Davies. More information about this song can be found here and here. Enjoy and keep making music! God Bless!

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

Today's little hymn can downloaded here. This hymn originated in India. More information can be found here, here and here.  Enjoy and keep making music! God Bless!

The Happy Wanderer

Welcome! Today's Alpha Notes version of this song can be found here. It's original text was written by Florenz Friedrich Sigismund and the present tune was composed by Friedrich-Wilhelm Möller. More information can be found here. Enjoy and keep making music! God Bless!

Short'nin' Bread

Welcome! Today's song in Alpha Notes can be found here. It was written by James Whitcomb Riley in 1900 which was thought of a plantation song. The first version is below:

Fotch dat dough fum the kitchin-shed—

Rake de coals out hot an' red—

Putt on de oven an' putt on de led,—

Mammy's gwineter cook som short'nin' bread.

Verse

When corn plantin' done come roun' ;

Blackbird own de whole plowed groun';

Corn is de grain as I've hearn said ;

Dat's de blackbird's short'nin' bread;

E.C. Perrow published the first folk version of this song in 1915, which he collected from East Tennessee in 1912 with the chorus below: 

Mammy's little baby loves short'nin', short'nin',

Mammy's little baby loves short'nin' bread

For more information, please look here. Enjoy and keep making music! God Bless!

Piano Chord Chart with Alpha Notes

Today I present this piano chord chart (download here) just in case there are those out there struggling with learning and remembering how to play chords to accompany the songs and hymns I have and will present on this blog. For more chords without the Alpha Notes look here. I hope this helps. This link will be for a piano keyboard diagram.Please leave your comments and thoughts and suggestions in the comments below. Thanks. Keep making music and God Bless!

A Crown of Thorns

Today's hymn can be downloaded here. This hymn was written by  Ira F. Stanphill. The song reminds us that Jesus’ death on the cross was a humble death. It was a torturous death, completely for sinners. After the lyrics, below, you can listen to the song being sung. More information can be found here. Please feel free to make a comment or suggestion below. Enjoy and keep making music! God Bless!

Lyrics

There was no crown for Him of silver or of gold
There was no diadem for Him to hold.
But blood adorned His brow,
And proud its stain He bore,
And sinners gave to Him the crown He wore.

CHORUS
A rugged cross became His throne
His kingdom was in hearts alone
He wrote His love in crimson red
And wore the thorns upon His head.

He did not reign upon a throne of ivory
But died upon the cross of Calvary.
For sinners there He counted all He owned but loss
And He surveyed His kingdom from a cross.

No purple robe He wore,
His bleeding wounds to hide
But stripes upon His back He wore with pride.
And from the wounds there flowed a crimson,
cleansing stream
That was a cover for the soul unclean

Christ the Lord is Risen Today

Today's hymn can be downloaded here. This hymn was written by Charles Wesley in 1739. More information can be found here, here and here. Enjoy and keep making music! God Bless!